Ordinances

Biblical practices traditionally held by the Church which serve as powerful symbolic reminders to believers of the completed, definitive and on-going transformative power of God that is at work in their lives.

Water Baptism

Done by full immersion in water, this practice is conducted with individuals who have made the conscious decision to follow Christ and have professed Him to be Lord of their life. The practice of baptizing infants and baptizing for the deceased is foreign to Holy Scripture. Although baptism does not save the person from their sins, it does serve as an outward demonstration to the surrounding witnesses of the change that has occurred in the person’s heart. Baptism does not guarantee sinless perfection, but it does symbolically show that the individual has died to their old life of sin and has risen to a new life as a follower of Christ. This step of obedience does not produce commitment; rather it is an act of the committed heart towards God.

Mathew 28:18-20, Acts 8:35-39; 10:47-48; 16:27-33 Romans 6:3-7, Ephesians 4:4-6, Colossians 2:11-12

Communion

Otherwise known as the Eucharist, or the Lord’s Supper, it is an ordinance that was instituted by Jesus Christ Himself. This practice encourages Christian unity as it is intended for believers to participate in the meal together at the Lord’s table. Its purpose is to remind believers of the selfless sacrifice Jesus made on behalf of all humanity when He died on the cross for our sins and that this act was the seal of our new covenant. It was by His sacrificial death that humanity received forgiveness of sins and it was by his victorious resurrection that humanity receives hope both in this life and the hereafter.

Matthew 26:26-31, Luke 22:14-22, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25)

Foot-washing

Though not practiced in all churches this custom serves as a reminder to believers of the importance of serving each other with a heart of humility. It also serves as a reminder of our need to be cleansed daily from the sin in our lives by the purging work of the Holy Spirit.

John 13:1-10